Sterilizer for milk cans



June 9, 1931. Q LARSEN 1,809,048

STERlLIZER FOR MILK CANS Filed July 27, 1929 v Patented June 9, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE;

OLAF LARSEN, OF OAK PARK, ILLINOISfASSIGNOR TO THE CREAMERY PACKAGE MFG. COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION- OF ILLINOIS s'rnmmznn lFoa MILK eANs Application led July 27, 1929. Serial No. 381,497.

The imention relates to devices for sterilizing milk cans and other containers, and more particularly relates to a device for spraying a sterilizing fluid into milk cans.

In the use of milk cans and other containers for the transportation of milk, it is necessary to thoroughly cleanse and sterilize the cansafter being emptied of the milk and before again being put into use. For the small dairyman who may wash the cans by other means than the large commercial can washing and sterilizing machines, a device for applying a sterilizing fluid to the cans after the washing operation is both convenient and essential.

It is an object of the JIpresent invention to provide a portable, sel contained, sterilizing fluid injecting unit mechanism adapted to receive individual cans for the sterilizing treatment, apply the fluid to the can," and collect the spent sterilizing fluid .in a reservoir for circulation.

Another object is to provide a can support in such a unit whic is associated with means for controlling the operation of the spray jet, so that by manipulation of the can itself when in osition to receive the `sterilizing fluid, the )et may be started and stopped without requiring the manual or pe al operation of any separate devices controlling the jet, thus enabling the operator to accomplish the sterilizing treatmept by manipulation only of the can itse Other objects and advantages will be apparent ir the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention as illustrated in the 'accompanying drawings.`

Referring to the drawings,'Fig. 1 is a sectional vlew` in elevation of the complete device. AFig. 2 is a plan view 'of the same. Figs. 3 and 4 are respectively a detailed plan view and a vertical sectional view of the solution spraying jet mechanism with erably of cylindrical open top form with a flared upper marginal flange 2. Within the upper portion of the tank is a screen 3 extending across the tank and removably supported by a ring 1 having a flared upper portion resting upon the flange 2. Positioned centrally of the tank is an upright pipe or jet tube 5, preferably resting upon andseeured to the bottom of the tank, and intermediately supported as by cross bars 6 secured to a ring 7 mounted onthe tube, and endwardly secured to the side walls of the tank 1. The upper end of the tube 5 extends somewhat above the tank and is provided with an end closure 8 having a plurality of jet openings 9 (see Figs. 3 and 4) arranged in radial series and adapted for the discharge of sterilizing fluid supplied to the tube 5 under pressure. The screen 3 is provided with 'a suitable opening for the passage therethrough of the pipe 5.

-Mounted telescopically of the upper end of the jet tube 5 isan outer sleeve 10 rotata ble upon the tube 5 and provided in its upper closed end with a series of radial slots 11, disposed for register with the radially arranged series of openings 9 in the end of the tube 5. `By rotation of the sleeve 10, the slots l1 may be brought into register with the spray openings 9, permitting discharge of the solution from the tube 5, or itmayV be rotated to move the slots out of register with the openings and cut oil' the discharge of solution. The operative movement of the sleeve 10 may be limited by a sectional l:annular ring 12 fixed upon the tube 5, be-

tween the ends of which extends a dependent lugl fixed upon the lower end of the sleeve, 10, so that b rotation of the sleeve into ,abutment wit one end of the stop ring 12,

the slots and spray openings are in register,

and by abutment with the other endof the stop the openings are closed against discharge of the spray.

Rigidly supported upon the lower portion of the rotatable valve sleeve l() is a' can supporting spider 14, having spaced radial arms 15 preferably united by an outer ring 16, the armsV 15 being adapted to receive and support the inverted mouth of a milk can set thereupon, as illustrated in broken lines in Fig. 1. With the spray jets closed and a can placed in the position illustrated, the manual rotation of the can effects the rotation of the spider and the valve sleeve to bring the slots 11 into register with the openings. 9, and permit the discharge of the solution into the interior of the can. The spent fluid owing down the sides of the can is discharged upon the screen 3 and drained back into the reservoir beneath.

After proper application of the sterilizing Huid, the can is reversely rotated to close the spray jets, after which the can may be removed.

Circulation under pressure of the solution may be accomplished by means of a pump 17, having an intake connection 18 leading through the side Wall of the lower portion of the reservoir, and a discharge connection 19 leading to and communicating with the .interior of the tube' 5. The pum may be driven by any suitable means, pre erably as by an electric moton 20. For convenience in handling the apparatus, the tank 1, pump 17 and motor 20 may be mounted upon a' single standard or base 21.

I claim as my invention:

1. A device of the class described comprising a tank, an upright jet tube mounted therein having a plurality of jet openings in its upper end, a valve sleeve o eratively mounted on the upper portion o said jet tube and having its closed end overlying said jet openings, said sleeve having slots in its end portion operable into and out of register with saidjet openings by rotation of said sleeve upon said tube, a can support f mounted on said sleeve ada ted to support a can in position to receive uid discharged from said jet openings and to drain the same into said tank, said sup ort and sleeve being rotatable by rotation o said can, and means 4for supplying fluid under. pressure from said tank to said jet tube.

2. In a device of the class described, an upright jettube having jet openings in its upper end, a valve sleeve o eratively mounte on the upper portion o said jet tube and having a closed end overlying-said jet openings, said sleeve having slots in its end portion operable into and out of register with said jet openings b rotation of said sleeve upon said tube, an .a can support mounted on said sleeve and operable to rotate said sleeve by rotation of a can positioned on said support.

In witness whereof I have hereunto at' tached my signature. 4

OLAF LABSEN. 

